CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- No defensive back in the NFL this season has blitzed more than Harrison Smith, but until Sunday you would never have known it. Smith had been as culpable as the rest of his teammates for an alarming start that prompted grave concerns about the Minnesota Vikings' capacity to improve their defense in 2023.
As he moved about the field largely unnoticed, it was fair to ask some big questions. Smith is a six-time Pro Bowl safety, but at age 34, could he still be a difference-maker? Did the Vikings make a mistake in bringing him back for another season?